NOLI ME TANGERE

Summary
Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin, commonly referred to as Ibarra, has been studying in
Europe for the past seven years. As he arrives back in the Philippines, his friend, Captain Tiago,
hosts a reunion dinner. During dinner, Father Dámaso, who Ibarra thought was friends with his
father, treats him badly, which surprises Ibarra. As Ibarra is walking home from the dinner,
another family friend, Señor Guevara, follows him and tells him that his father died in prison
after a campaign of slander against him and that Father Dámaso had a hand in his death. Ibarra
is shocked, but unsure of what to do. He goes to visit his old lover, Maria Clara, but as Maria
mentions Ibarra’s family, Ibarra is put off. Instead of seeking revenge, Ibarra tries to follow his
father’s footsteps of peace. After meeting with a schoolmaster who knew his father, he plans on
establishing a public school to help his hometown. The schoolmaster warns him that Father
Dámaso meddles in the school system, preventing students from learning Spanish and
demanding that he beat the students. Ibarra pitches the idea of the school to town officials,
pretending that he wants to work with them on it, and they agree. Meanwhile, two young boys,
Crispín and Basilio, work as sextons to support their poor mother, Sisa, who is abused by their
father. When Crispín is falsely accused of the, the brothers must work even more. Crispín
protests and is severely beaten, while Basilio escapes. He returns the next day to look for his
brother, but can't find him. Sisa looks for both her sons, losing her mind as she wanders
the area in search of them. Ibarra goes to his father’s grave, seeking peace. He is shocked to
discover that his father’s corpse was removed and supposedly put into a Chinese cemetery at
the order of the town's curate, Father Dámaso. During the town's festivities, Ibarra and the
officials plan to celebrate the new school, hoping to bless it after a sermon by Father Dámaso.
During the sermon, a mysterious man named Elías approaches Ibarra, warning him of a plot to
kill him. That night, Father Dámaso invites himself to a dinner Ibarra is hosting. He insults both
indigenous Filipinos and Ibarra’s father specifically. Ibarra punches Father Dámaso, but before
he can kill him, he is stopped by María Clara.

Ibarra is excommunicated, and María Clara falls ill, she is then re-engaged with a new man
after her spineless father calls off her wedding to Ibarra. Meanwhile, the Captain-General
manages to lift Ibarra' sex-communication, angering the clergy. Ibarra continues working on the
school, and Father Salvi, who is in love with María Clara, plots with Lucas, to frame Ibarra for
a rebellion by organizing people with grievances against the colonial government and telling
them that Ibarra is leading the revolt. Right before the attack happens, Father Salvi warns
everyone, claiming someone told him about it in confession. Ibarra is thrown into prison, having
been found guilty based on a letter he wrote to María Clara before leaving for Europe years ago.
Again, Elías rescues him, breaking him out of prison and taking him to María Clara. She
apologizes to Ibarra and explains that she gave Father Salvi the letter that led to Ibarra being
found guilty because he blackmailed her. Elías and Ibarra row away, but they quickly realize
they're being followed by another boat, which will soon catch up. Elías jumps o the boat to
confuse their pursuers, who think he is Ibarra, and try to shoot him while the real Ibarra
escapes. They appear to kill him, but they never see his body. María Clara tells Father Dámaso
that she can't marry Linares, the man she is now engaged to and threatens to commit suicide if
she is not allowed to enter a convent. On Christmas Eve, Basilio wanders away from the cabin
where he has been staying with an adoptive family and looks for Sisa, his mother. He finds her,
but she doesn't recognize him and runs away. Finally, he catches her and she faints, she dies of
shock, having finally recognized him. Elías appears, telling Basilio that he is about to die, and
asks Basilio to put his body with Sisa's on a funeral pyre.
Characters
 Juan Crisostomo Ibarra y Magsalin
 protagonist in the story, and son of a Filipino businessman, Don Rafael
Ibarra. He returned home in San Diego to search the body of his father after he
studied in Europe for seven years

 Maria Clara de los Santos y Alba

 commonly referred to as María Clara, an illegitimate daughter of Father
Dámaso, former parish curate of the town, and Doña Pía Alba, wife of Capitán
Tiago
 she was raised by Tia Isabel, Capitán Tiago’s cousin, San Diego's cabeza
de barangay
 the character of María Clara was patterned after Leonor Rivera, Rizal's
first cousin and childhood sweetheart
 Ibarra's fiancée

 Capitán Tiago
 Don Santiago de los Santos Filipino businessman and the cabeza
de barangay or head of barangay of the town of San Diego.
 k n o w n f a t h e r o f M a r í a C l a r a -Richest man in the region
of Binondo and he possessed real properties in Pampanga and
Laguna de Bay
 good Catholic, friend of the
Spanish government and was considered as a Spanish by colonialists.
 domestic helper of a Dominican friar and married Pía Alba from Santa
Cruz

 Doña Pía Alba

 wife of Capitan Tiago and mother of María Clara, she died giving birth
to her daughter.
 i n r e a l i t y, s h e w a s r a p e d b y D á m a s o s o s h e c o u l d b e a r a c h i l d

 Padre Damaso Verdolagas

 Padre Dámaso is a Franciscan friar and the former parish
curate of San Diego
 real father of María Clara and an enemy of Crisóstomo's father,
Rafael Ibarra
 best known as a notorious character who speaks with harsh words and
has been a cruel priest

Moral Lesson

"Noli Me Tangere" offers profound moral lessons that resonate across time and culture. One
primary lesson is the pernicious nature of societal injustice and the urgent need to confront it.
The novel emphasizes the importance of standing up against systemic inequalities through vivid
portrayals of oppression, exploitation, and discrimination under Spanish colonial rule. It serves
as a poignant reminder that silence in the face of injustice only perpetuates suffering and
reinforces the status quo. The characters' struggles and sacrifices underscore the moral
imperative to challenge oppression and advocate for social change. Another key lesson is the
corrosive influence of corruption and abuse of power. The novel exposes the moral bankruptcy
of those who exploit their positions of authority for personal gain, whether through political
manipulation, economic exploitation, or religious hypocrisy. By exposing the consequences of
unchecked greed and corruption, the story underscores the importance of integrity, honesty, and
ethical leadership in building a just and equitable society. The novel also highlights the
transformative power of education and enlightenment. The character of Juan Crisostomo Ibarra
exemplifies the potential for knowledge and awareness to challenge ignorance and catalyze
social progress. His commitment to education and intellectual inquiry serves as a beacon of
hope amidst the darkness of oppression, inspiring others to question the status quo and
envision a better future. Thus, the novel is a powerful testament to the enduring struggle for
justice, dignity, and freedom. Its moral lessons resonate with readers, urging them to confront
injustice, resist corruption, and champion the values of compassion, integrity, and solidarity in
the pursuit of a more equitable and humane society.

EL FILIBUSTERISMO

Summary

Set thirteen years after Crisostomo Ibarra, the main character in ‘Noli Me Tangere,’ left the
Philippines, a mysterious jeweler named Simoun returns to the Philippines on board the
steamer Tabo. The all-powerful Simoun with his beard and his blue tinted eyeglasses is a friend
of the Spanish government, being an advisor to the Governor General of the Philippines. On the
outside, he is a good friend of Spain, but in his heart, he is planning revenge in opposition to the
Spanish atrocities in the Philippines. This is for the reason that Simoun, who in reality is
Crisostomo Ibarra, is fueled by revenge and his fixation to instigate a revolution against Spain
and to rescue his beloved Maria Clara from the convent. As the story progresses, Simoun
meets characters which he will manipulate to achieve his end.
His true identity is eventually discovered by Basilio while he visits his mother’s grave. Basilio is
now a medical student under the patronage of Capitan Tiago. Simoun shows mercy to Basilio
by sparing his life and by asking the latter to join his planned revolution. Basilio refuses the offer
despite Simoun’s taunts about his family’s misfortunes.
The jeweler also manipulates the band of bandits headed by Kabesang Tales, who also suffers
misfortunes under the friars. Simoun also manipulates the Chinese Quiroga into smuggling
firearms and weapons using his store as a front. Meanwhile, Basilio supports the establishment
of a Spanish language school to help the students read and learn the language to the great
opposition of the Dominican friars. Simoun is now gearing up for the revolution which he
immediately calls to a halt, upon learning of the death of Maria Clara earlier that day.The
rejected students which fought for the establishment of a Spanish academy hold a mock
celebration in a panciteria (noodle cafe) where a friar spy witnesses the event. Several of the
students and Basilio are imprisoned notwithstanding the latter’s absence during the celebration.
Conversely, Juli, Basilio’s girlfriend commits suicide after Padre Camorra tries to
rape her. Basilio is left in prison while many of the students are released. Basilio is subsequently
released with Simoun’s help, and after learning of Juli’s suicide he joins Simoun’s revolution.
Simoun eventually tells Basilio of his plan to exterminate the highest officials of the Philippines
who will be attending the wedding of Paulita Gomez and Juanito Pelaez. The explosive is
masqueraded as a beautiful kerosene lamp. Once out of fuel, it will be lighted again and will
eventually explode. During the wedding, Simoun gives the newlyweds the lamp and leaves the
reception early leaving a note. The note is later found out to be signed in the name of
Crisostomo Ibarra. With a change of heart, Basilio informs his friend Isagani about the plan.
Isagani, being a former boyfriend of Paulita Gomez steals the lamp and throws it into the river.
He also escapes by diving into the river while being pursued by the Guardia Civil. The note is
left behind and it is confirmed by Padre Salvi that it was truly written by Ibarra.
Simoun’s real identity is discovered later on and he is pursued by the Guardia Civil. Being fatally
wounded, he seeks refuge in the house of Padre Florentino, Isagani uncle. Simoun reveals his
identity to the priest and has a discussion about the failure of the revolution. Simoun eventually
dies and Padre Florentino throws his treasures into the Pacific Ocean with the hope that the
treasure will surface once the nation truly deserves its independence. El Filibusterismo shows
the maturity of Jose Rizal as a writer. The novel, with its tale of revenge runs off from Noli Me
Tangere’s central theme of love and martyrdom. El Filibusterismo, although more than a
hundred years old still finds application in a society where tyrants and corruption reign.

Characters

 Simoun
 Crisostomo Ibarra in disguise, left for dead at the end of Noli me tangere
 Ibarra has resurfaced as the wealthy jeweler, Simoun, sporting a beard, blue-
tinted glasses, and a revolver. Fueled by his mistreatment at the hands of the
Spaniards and his fury at Maria Clara’s fate, Simoun secretly plans a revolution
to see" revenge against those who wronged him.
 Basilio
 son of Sisa and another character from Noli Me Tangere
 after his mother’s death,he became a vagabond until Captain Tiago took him in
out of pity and hired him as a houseboy in exchange for sending him to school.
In the events of the book, he is a graduating medical student who discovered
Simoun’s true identity and befriended him. His girlfriend is Juli.
 Isagani
 Basilio’s friend and one of the students who planned to set up a new school. He
is very idealistic and hopes for a better future for the Philippines. His girlfriend
was the rich and beautiful Paulita Gomez, but they broke up once he was
arrested. Despite this, his love for her still endured. He sabotaged Simoun’s
plans by removing the lamp that contained explosives and threw it in the waters.
 Kabesang Tales
 Cabeza Telesforo Juan de Dios, a former cabeza de barangay (barangayhead)
of Sagpang, a barangay in San Diego’s neighboring town Tiani, who resurfaced
as the feared Luzon bandit Matanglawin. He is the son of Tandang Selo,
and father of Juli and Tano.
 Don Custodio
 Custodio de Salazar y Sanchez de Monteredondo, a famous “journalist” who
was asked by the students about his decision for the Academia de Castellano. In
reality, he is quite an ordinary fellow who married a rich woman in order to be a
member of Manila’s high society.

Moral Lesson

"El Filibusterismo," the sequel to Jose Rizal's "Noli Me Tangere," continues to convey profound
moral lessons that reflect the social, political, and moral landscape of 19th-century Philippines
under Spanish colonial rule. One primary moral lesson of "El Filibusterismo" is the destructive
nature of vengeance and the cycle of violence it perpetuates. The character of Simoun, formerly
Juan Crisostomo Ibarra from "Noli Me Tangere," embodies this theme as he seeks revenge
against the oppressive Spanish regime. However, his quest for retribution ultimately leads to
tragedy, highlighting the futility and moral bankruptcy of seeking justice through violence. The
novel warns against the temptation to succumb to anger and hatred, urging individuals to seek
alternative paths to social change rooted in compassion, justice, and reconciliation. Another
crucial moral lesson is the corrosive impact of greed, corruption, and moral decay on society.
Through vivid portrayals of institutionalized corruption, economic exploitation, and moral
depravity among the ruling elite, "El Filibusterismo" exposes the systemic injustices that plague
colonial Philippine society. The novel underscores the importance of integrity, honesty, and
ethical governance in fostering a just and equitable society, while condemning the pervasive
influence of greed and self-interest that undermine the common good. It also emphasizes the
power of collective action and solidarity in effecting social change. As the oppressed masses
unite against their oppressors, the novel highlights the transformative potential of grassroots
movements and the importance of unity in the struggle for liberation and justice. Through the
characters' resilience, courage, and determination, the novel inspires readers to stand up
against oppression, resist injustice, and work together towards a better future for all. The novel
serves as a compelling moral parable, urging readers to reflect on the consequences of
vengeance, corruption, and oppression while championing the values of compassion, integrity,
and collective action in the pursuit of a more just and humane society.